All of us have heard about the warnings like never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you are willing to let someone steal your identity. As we are passing through Christmas and new year season and during this time several emails strike our mailbox that have such instructions following which you can become a victim of identity theft.
All officially looking emails are not legitimate
Even if you have got emails branded with corporate logos, then don’t think that these are all legitimate ones as even the most officially-looking emails can also be a front for identity thieves who want to take away your credit card information. But sometimes you have to take few more precautions in order to protect your identity.
Here in this article I have given you some tips to keep you safe from identity theft.
1. You should Leave Your Credit Cards at Home
When you don’t need your credit cards, then it is better to leave them at home in a safe place along with your Social Security card and other important documents. Doing this not only that you will not be tempted to make impulse purchases, but it will also keep your finances secure in case if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen.
2. You should Keep Personal Details Private
Are you on social networks like MySpace and Facebook? If any such personal details like your full name and date of birth have been published by you, then thieves can use these details for getting more information about you.
3. You should Watch for Missing Mail
Has it ever happened to you that you have not received any of your bills or credit card statements? Contact your creditor and ask them the reason for that delay.
If once your account has been hijacked by an identity thief then it is easy for them to change the billing address, and you remain unaware of any purchases made with your credit card.
4. You should Manage Your Paper Trail
You should try to get your bills and statements online and avoid any paper bills as much as possible. Doing this, nobody can steal your discarded mail and take away your personal information. If you are unable to avoid paper bills, then be sure to shred your mail thoroughly before throwing it away.
5. You should Trust Your Instincts
If something looks like fishy, then you should go with your gut. For instance, devices are attached to the card slots of ATM machines and gas pumps by some thieves. The details of every card inserted into them are captured by these devices. If you see something unusual about a machine, then don’t use it.
Likewise, if your cashier is taking too long with your credit card, then they might be taking a picture of it with their camera phone or they may also swipe it through a ‘skimmer’ device for stealing your credit card number. There is no need to have a confrontation, but if you have suspicions then make sure to keep a close eye on your credit card statements.
When we are talking about identity theft, you yourself are your best line of defense. You can minimize your chance of being victimized by just following these simple suggestions.
